What is a hail mary?

A hail mary is a term used in American football to describe a long, desperate pass made by a quarterback in a last-ditch effort to score a touchdown. The term is believed to have originated from a Catholic prayer that asks for help or saving grace in desperate situations. The most famous example of a hail mary in football history is probably the one thrown by quarterback Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys in a game against the Minnesota Vikings in 1975. Staubach threw a 50-yard pass to Drew Pearson in the end zone with just seconds left on the clock, leading to a controversial touchdown that gave the Cowboys a 17-14 win and ultimately propelled them to their second straight Super Bowl title.